How do you find local artists?

If you go on Etsy, you can filter by location.

I also go to craft fairs and street festivals. Not sure if Renegade Craft Fair comes near you, but it’s an awesome source of local or regional artists.

We have an art museum in our tiny town. Sometimes they feature local artists, and sometimes it’s nationally known artists.

We also have a place for local artists to house their studios. Admission is free, and we can go in and tour the hallways and peek into the studios. Often the artists will have their work on display in the halls, outside their doors, and in the larger spaces of the building in addition to their studio space. It’s pretty awesome in there.

And then there is the giant art fair that our town puts on every year in July. Local artists come, as well as artists from all over the country come to display and sell their work. It is my favorite big event that our area does. I love seeing (and buying) their creations. It’s so nice to be able to talk to the artist about his or her creations as well. The art museum above puts out a directory of vendors each year, and if you ask the people at the front desk about the artists they can usually point you in the right direction if you want to buy their art outside of Art Fair.

Our local coffee shops feature a different local artist every month. I always love going in at the beginning of the month to see who they're all featuring!

Facebook. We have "I Made It" markets and other pop up artists markets in my area. I see them on FB under the actual market page, the artists' pages, the community that is hosting the market, etc.

the Hospice facility in our area showcases local artists work - they hang artwork in the corridors and purchase helps support hospice care. We've purchased a couple of pieces from there.

Our library does an art show yearly - the art hangs in the library and is available for purchase

one of my doctor's offices (a big medical group of specialists) has local art hanging in their corridors as well that is for sale.

Farmer’s Markets
Local galleries
Facebook Local Events

I just spent far too much time figuring out that it's San Diego not Sandie Go.  Google wasn't helping.

Look for Arts Councils in your town or neighboring towns. Some are more active than others. Two of my neighboring towns have galleries of local artists work you can purchase and hosts some annual events.

You may find things at local festivals. Is there a tourist town anywhere nearby? Even if it is 50 or more miles away, there might be an art event that has local artists on display. Sometimes you find there is an artist right in your backyard but you only connect with them at an event.

If you would like wall quilts, fall is the perfect time to go to a local quilt festival. Many towns have a quilt guild and some will have shows. What you see may not be for sale but you can find out the artists names and contact info.

There is probably a local art alliance, guild, or council. They may have a website with artist links to their work. I'd start there.
I'd also google "artist *town name*" and see what comes up.
Visit local art fairs too.